History was made in the Spalding and District Table Tennis League last week as the new season got under way at Spalding High School.
Having spent years at the Castle Sports Complex, the first night of the new season at Matmore Gate was a big moment for the league.
Events got off to a rousing start with, initially, four tables in action and members taking the opportunity to get used to the new conditions before going into Round One of the Moulton Shield.
In an all-Division One tie, JDM were favourites against Aches and Pains – and Phil Chandler and Jon Chesworth took the four games that were played, winning in straight ends.
With Aches and Pains bringing forward a league match the final game was conceded.
Another Division One tie, Outsiders versus Nets and Edges, saw the latter take the first game in three ends, but that was the full extent of their success.
Keith Davey and new team mate Adrian Dinvlescu took the remaining four games without loss to progress.
However, the match of the night had last season’s top two meeting.
South Holland also had a newcomer, but Jokers’ Sasha Martin and Guntars Briedes proved too strong for the other pair with all games going their way.
Newcomers Moulton SE, in the form of the Appleby brothers who have joined the top division, faced Division Two’s Castle Sports in their first outing.
As expected, they proved to be too strong and went into the next round without dropping an end.
Another new player, James Hayter, scored for 200 up, a renamed Skidlids from Division Two, against Division One’s Mine’s a Pint.
That point had levelled the scores, but the Pinters went on to win the remaining three games, though two went to the third end.
Top flight team Bladerunners faced a new Division Two pairing for MatDuf.
Dave Gibson, Blades’ only available player, established a 2-0 lead in comfortable fashion, but commended his junior opponent on his play in his first match.
In the only all-Division Two tie, Potterus Clarets – Tom Chesworth and another newbie Peter Chester – took the first three games against Hurricane Brothers. With the match lost, the remaining two games were conceded.
Elsewhere, Aches and Pains’ Division One match against Underdogs was brought forward to accommodate the latter, for whom Kelvin Preville will be unavailable. He showed what a strong addition he will be with comprehensive wins in his singles.
He and Dylan Taylor took the doubles in similar fashion, but Garry Wilkinson won his other singles, leaving match unfinished at 1-3.
You can visit the league’s new website www.tabletennis365.com/Spalding for more information.
